I can honestly say, after school if not for new injury I would be pretty alright. Not sitting in desks all day has been great on thoracic. But this new lumbar / cervical pain is kicking butt. Not just pain anymore, weakness and shaking associated now, not to mention killer pain. I have been through all this before and shutter when I think it might take that long to get proper diagnosis again for new stuff. Just mad at myself for playing with those kids, cost me little I had left. Life can change to the bad so fast, but it never seems to be that way for good things. I never appriciated at least being able to sleep and wake without pain. Now that I am not I realize that at least gave me small break.
Hurting worse than ever
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Sorry Buddy,
Hang in there.
Julie
My pain has also increased recently and am in the same boat as you in terms of having to find out the source of pain. Most likely for me it is scar tissue putting pressure on the cord again! It just never ends...
2011 ACDF C5-6 for Spondylosis with Myleopathy
2012 L4-5 herniation causing short leg on right side; hernated disc at C4/5
Sorry it's come back again. I am reminded of my "Pain Game" every time I do something that used to be just so automatic that I just did it. Hubby and I went grocery shopping yesterday, which I KNOW is going result in discomfort. By the time we shopped, checked out, got home, and put everything away, I was absolutely exhausted. I always wear my cervical collar ... sometime with ice pack and take a Vicodin ES. The exhaustion and motion of my neck even wearing my collar aggravates my pain and I, too, get the shakes. The next part of the saga is renew ice pack, if needed, take my anxiety med and lie down. Pain is just a vicious circle. I hope you can get back on track and get that pain down to where you are comfortable again. Remember, there are a lot of us out here in the same boat. Please keep us informed on how you are doing. Here is a
for happy thoughts. Stay strong.
Rassy
Rassy's Story
Under House Arrest Without the Ankle Bracelet :-)
The remarks I make are strictly my own based on my personal experiences.
Playing with those kids was for them and that was a memorable gift to share while in pain, we all have to learn to pace and knowing when to stop prior to emptying the tank fully. For me too it is one task or another but not both, I am now virtually unable to walk so every pace is measured with strategic importance. We all need disproportionate rest to do what may have been simple without pain; my surgeon said, time would restrict my ability to do repeated and accumulative tasks, how right he was.
We all know that searing and unremitting pain waiting for it to ease; from experience pain similar to this will become less over time. It is always difficult to know if this additional pain is new or part of our ongoing condition and only specific diagnosis may give you that answer.
Take care, if it is a flare-up they are not easy and only time helps. John
John,
You are so right. Sometimes I DON'T know if the pain is related or IS someting new starting up. It is just a wait and see deal. I go to my pain mgmt dr once a month for med refills and talk about any new developments or changes in pain level, or new pain locations, etc. At present, I seem to have hit a plateau with the correct combo of medications that afford me a level of comfort at which I feel almost sane. I just keep waiting for the next tsunami to hit. In the meantime, I am going to enjoy what little relief I have been given right now. I will have you in my thoughts. Keep fighting!
Rassy
Rassy's Story
Under House Arrest Without the Ankle Bracelet :-)
The remarks I make are strictly my own based on my personal experiences.
Always hoping for good things for you, anelsen. Right now hoping you find answers and relief sooner rather than later.
I am just hoping nothing serious. It is just really hard, I never imagined my thoracic would be doing this good since school ended and those two ESI's that hit the spot. Would have liked a little while to enjoy the relief before new stuff began. Just a little scared as its alot different, not just pain but scary stuff.
Herniated T6-7, multiple herniations in cervical, tears in T5-T8. Stenois at levels and smorls nodes from thoracic thru lumbar
Anelsen, trying to send some good vibes and thoughts your way. I hope everything works out as best it can for you. I feel like I went through something similar. I only had, originally, pain at one level, over the past few years it has progressed in to other joints. It is hard to feel that happening and not be discouraged. Ron has a post in the depression forum where he talks about the myths. I'd just like to remind you of one:
Myths
1 This is the way we are going to be for the rest of our lives
http://www.spine-health.com/forum/depression-and-coping/can-you-deal-it-can-i-can-we
it's a great read if you haven't seen it already, and a great re-read if you have. I've been referring back to it a lot since I signed up here.
My medical history: http://www.spine-health.com/users/certifried